vamp

¹ American  

[vamp] / væmp /

noun

1. the portion of a shoe or boot upper that covers the instep and toes.

2. something patched up or pieced together.

3. Jazz. an accompaniment, usually improvised, consisting of a succession of simple chords.

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verb (used with object)

1. to furnish with a vamp, especially to repair (a shoe or boot) with a new vamp.

2. to patch up; repair.

3. to give (something) a new appearance by adding a patch or piece.

4. to concoct or invent (often followed byup ).

   He vamped up a few ugly rumors to discredit his enemies.

5. Jazz. to improvise (an accompaniment or the like).

verb (used without object)

1. Jazz. to improvise an accompaniment, tune, etc.

vamp ² American  

[vamp] / væmp /

noun

1. a seductive woman who uses her sensuality to exploit men.

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verb (used with object)

1. to use feminine charms upon; seduce.

verb (used without object)

1. to act as a vamp.

vamp ¹ British  

/ væmp /

noun

1. something patched up to make it look new

2. the reworking of a theme, story, etc

3. an improvised accompaniment, consisting largely of chords

4. the front part of the upper of a shoe

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verb

1. to give a vamp to; make a renovation of

2. to improvise (an accompaniment) to (a tune)

vamp ² British  

/ væmp /

noun

1. a seductive woman who exploits men by use of her sexual charms

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verb

1. to exploit (a man) in the fashion of a vamp

Other Word Forms

• vamper noun
• vampish adjective

Etymology

Origin of vamp¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English va(u)mpe, wamp(e), from Anglo-French; Middle French avant-pie, equivalent to avant- “fore-” + pie “foot” ( French pied); avaunt, -ped

Origin of vamp²

First recorded in 1905–10; short for vampire

Example Sentences

Earlier in the fourth quarter, when the home team was trailing, 30-14, the Amazon Prime crew had to do some vamping to keep viewers engaged.

From Los Angeles Times

Shackleton, glimpsed on camera in the studio where he vamped his narration, knows his act breaks and thematic beats.

From Los Angeles Times

The former Australian Paralympic swimmer wanted to vamp up her headshot and uploaded a full-length photo of her and prompted it really specifically that she was missing her left arm from below the elbow.

From BBC

As her band vamped on the intro to her song “Hot to Go!” on Friday night, Roan surveyed the tens of thousands spread across the leafy grounds surrounding the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

From Los Angeles Times

I think Eric Northman would probably put up a pretty good fight because he's got that vamp speed.

From Salon

Related Words

• enchantress
• seductress
• temptress